In Belgium, attorney law (advocatenrecht / droit des avocats) covers the rules, rights, and obligations for lawyers (“avocats” in French, “advocaten” in Dutch). Here’s a clear breakdown:
1️⃣ Who Can Be an Attorney in Belgium
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Must have a Master’s degree in Law from a recognized Belgian or EU university.
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Must complete a three-year apprenticeship (stage) under the supervision of a senior lawyer.
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Must be registered with a Bar Association (Orde van Vlaamse Balies for Dutch-speaking, Ordre des barreaux francophones et germanophone for French & German-speaking).
2️⃣ Role of Attorneys
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Represent clients in court.
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Provide legal advice.
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Draft and review contracts.
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Defend individuals in criminal, civil, commercial, and administrative cases.
3️⃣ Key Laws & Regulations
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Judicial Code (Code judiciaire / Gerechtelijk Wetboek) — Main source of attorney law.
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Code of Ethics issued by each Bar Association — covers confidentiality, conflicts of interest, advertising rules.
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Royal Decrees — set detailed rules for practice.
4️⃣ Important Ethical Rules
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Professional Secrecy (confidentiality) is absolute.
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Must avoid conflicts of interest.
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Limited advertising — cannot make misleading claims.
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Must act with independence and integrity.
5️⃣ Legal Aid in Belgium
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If someone cannot afford a lawyer, Bureau for Legal Aid can appoint one for free or at reduced cost.
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Known as “Pro Deo” lawyers.
6️⃣ Court Representation
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Attorneys are the only professionals allowed to represent clients before the Court of Cassation (Belgium’s highest court), except in certain labor or administrative disputes.
If you want, I can also give you a short visual chart showing the process to become a lawyer in Belgium so it’s easier to understand.